Bangladesh likely to tour Europe in July (http://www.espncricinfo.com/bangladesh/content/story/564474.html?CMP=chrome)

Bangladesh could be travelling to Ireland and Scotland at the end of July to play five ODIs after Cricket Ireland secured funding from the ICC's High Performance Program as well as ICC Europe.

The full itinerary was sent to the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Thursday. Out of the five games, three would be played against Ireland and then an ODI each against Scotland and Netherlands. The ten-day trip to Ireland would also include a single warm-up game ahead of the three matches, and then Bangladesh would go to Scotland for four days on July 30 or 31 to play the remaining two games of the tour.

Warren Deutrom, the CEO of Cricket Ireland, said that the funding from the two sources was crucial to being able to put the tour together, though they are making up the difference using their own funds. "That [funding] will support the three hosting countries," Deutrom said. "The rest will have to be made up obviously from our own resources. We are just waiting for the green light from the BCB board now."

The BCB has welcomed the decision and are looking for a final approval from their directors. "Yes, we have put forward such a request and as far as we are concerned, we have received positive feedback. We are awaiting an approval from our board," BCB cricket operations manager, Sabbir Khan, said.

Originally, Cricket Ireland had wanted to play a four-day game against Bangladesh as well but that was not possible because there was not enough funding for it. However, they were not going to turn down an offer to play cricket against a Test nation, whatever the format. "Our budgets were sorted prior to the BCB's announcement that they wanted to tour here," Deutrom said. "Of course, [the offer] is very welcome. It is precisely what the top associates are crying out for and so it was something we could not turn down."

Last month, Ireland submitted a proposal to play 12 to 15 ODIs a year to recognise their rising standards. Under the proposals, ICC would help to identify gaps in the existing Future Tours Programme where Ireland can be accommodated for ODIs.

Bonglababu

May 11, 2012, 10:02 AM

Not bad. But a few T-20 could spice up the prep for WC.

zinatf

May 11, 2012, 10:03 AM

Wow!! Suddenly the FTP's hectic...good sign...first ZIM Tri series starting from late june and then this......

Maysun

May 11, 2012, 10:07 AM

Does that mean Shakib's county stint maybe reduced if at all he gets a team?

But we should be thanking Cricket Ireland! Some cricket finally.. :clap:

zinatf

May 11, 2012, 10:09 AM

^Hmmm...maybe...but it's good some good cricket...ahh!!! It seems like ages that we haven't witnessed tigers playing....

playmaker

May 11, 2012, 10:22 AM

some more cricket!! Looks like the tigers wont be sitting duck

Hopefully the players will also have a shot at the T&T T20 tournament :)

simon

May 11, 2012, 10:28 AM

that's good news,long time no play hors sub continent

Night_wolf

May 11, 2012, 10:45 AM

wait where did the 4 day game go??

Tiger444

May 11, 2012, 11:33 AM

wait where did the 4 day game go??

Not enough funding for the 4 day game. Pretty pathetic really. Here we have a team in Ireland who is going to be a Test playing nation most probably by 2020 and they don't even have funding for a 4 day game. ICC should really be helping them out better.

Tiger444

May 11, 2012, 11:39 AM

The good news keeps on coming although we've known about this for a while. Ireland in their own conditions are very tough to beat. We got crushed pretty bad in 2010 by them. Scotland and Netherlands are also decent Associate teams. So it should be a challenging tour.

M.H.Rubel

May 11, 2012, 11:59 AM

I was hurt by absence of the 4 day game.It was a very good planning by Law to use the off season by playing with Associate.A day game with Ireland in Ireland would have been a tough challenge.No way,Still i am happy as the tour is revived.

Dilscoop

May 11, 2012, 12:17 PM

Let the record show, we as a FULL NATION member wanted to play with them (sure it's for our cause but still). Let the record show, in our Pee League it is mandatory to buy at least one assos. player/team.

As being the "forever minnow," the day we become the Champions, I'd still like us to have a soft spot for 10< teams and will invite, tour, help them build regularly and become UNLIKE the Indians.

MohammedC

May 11, 2012, 12:45 PM

I need to target one of the Scottish match or may be both. May be I will tie it up with a family trip up north.

Maysun

May 11, 2012, 01:14 PM

I hope we win all the five games

BD Rox

May 11, 2012, 01:23 PM

Atlast, something to cheer about.

oronnya

May 11, 2012, 01:29 PM

I'm really happy with this away series.. our boys soo needed to play in a different condition and test their skills !!!

TigerEz

May 11, 2012, 02:54 PM

who cares about 4 day and test, its all about odis and t20s.....and u guys should be happy that we got to play some games